Chimney Corner Hotel Faces Planning Probe

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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has launched a planning enforcement investigation into the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, following its use to house asylum seekers. The probe comes after a recent High Court ruling in Epping, England, which found that accommodating asylum seekers in hotels without formal planning approval can breach regulations. The council confirmed the investigation but declined further comment.

South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke and Ulster Unionist Party MP Robin Swann have emphasised that the Home Office, responsible for asylum seeker accommodation across the UK, must comply with planning laws. Clarke noted that the Epping ruling highlights the need for proper approval when hotels are repurposed for asylum accommodation.

The High Court decision involved the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where a temporary injunction was granted to halt its use for asylum seekers by 12 September 2025. Similar scrutiny has arisen across Northern Ireland, with DUP MLA Stephen Dunne raising concerns about the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor. Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has also contacted local councils to examine other properties potentially used without planning consent.

Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International acknowledged that hotels may not be suitable for long-term housing, particularly for families, but cautioned against actions that displace vulnerable individuals without safe alternatives. He called for investment in appropriate accommodation rather than reliance on legal enforcement that could exacerbate hardships.

The investigation reflects ongoing challenges in the UK’s immigration system. Approximately 32,000 asylum seekers are currently housed in 210 hotels nationwide, highlighting the Home Office’s need for compliant and sustainable accommodation. The outcome of the Chimney Corner Hotel investigation, along with other reviews, may shape future housing policies in Northern Ireland and across the UK.